May 2010
Inventors usually need to describe their inventions - to other inventors, to business associates (designers, distributors, engineers, investors, manufacturers, marketers, patent office examiners), and to customers. A detailed drawing of an embodiment of an invention (object or process) is one of the clearest and most concise descriptions of what the invention is, how it is made, how it works, what result it produces, and how it is unique or better than similar inventions. Mr. Jerry Mandell of Sandhill Crane Design described the drawing services he provides to inventors by showing us some of his computer-generated 2- and virtual 3-dimensional images and animations. Still images can be presented as exploded, cut-away, or transparent views. The steps of operation and of assembly can be animated. An invention can also be described by a virtual 3-dimensional prototype (rendered or photo-realistic), multimedia presentation, or video for a trade show. Drawings can be saved as ste